Sen. Brown on Senate Health Insurance Reform Proposal

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November 18, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) issued the following statement in response to the Senate health insurance reform proposal:

"Today, we are one step closer to passing meaningful health insurance reform that will lower costs and improve medical care. The legislation will help tame out-of-control premium increases and hold health insurers to higher standards. This legislation will end insurance industry practices that limit medical care or deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions or gender.

"This legislation invests in what is working and fixes what is broken. It includes a strong public option that will keep insurers honest and improve the health care choices available to American families, even if they are unemployed. And it will set into motion immediate and lasting reductions in public and private health spending.

"I look forward to debating this bill on the Senate floor. I hope that when my colleagues see that it will not only improve care but lower the deficit, they will join the debate and be part of the solution. This bill is an investment in the economic security of American households and the economic competiveness of American businesses."

Brown is a leading advocate of the public option. In October, he circulated a letter signed by 29 of his colleague urging Majority Leader Reid to include a public option in any health reform legislation that will be considered on the Senate floor. Along with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Brown helped write the public option language in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee-passed health reform bill. In April, Brown circulated a letter signed by 21 senators calling for a strong public health insurance option to be included in health reform efforts. In May, he introduced a resolution sponsored by 28 senators calling for a public option.

Source: Senator Sherrod Brown